Apparatus for curling edges on paper drinking cups



Jan. 14, 1958 H. A. SCOTT ETAL 2,

APPARATUS FOR CURLING EDGES. ON PAPER DRINKING CUPS Filed June 25, 1953'7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1. 25

. INVENTORY #477 A. Scofif 66 Char/es A. Cheap/Lev" Jan. 14, 1958 H, A.sco-r'r ETAL APPARATUS FOR CURLING EDGES QN PAPER DRINKING CUPS '7Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 23, 1953 Fig.2.

Jan. 14, 1958 H. A. SCOTT ETAL APPARATUS FOR CURLING EDGES ON PAPERDRINKING CUPS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 23, 1953 H nu A INVENTORSHarry A. Scafi & CaT/as A. Z/ncapfier fan), M214 4 ATTORNEYS BY wm Jan.14, 1958 H. A. sco'r'r ETAL APPARATUS FOR CURLING EDGES ON PAPERDRINKING CUPS '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 23, 1955 Farr A. Uncq p/zer3W ATTORNEYS BY We Jan. 14, 1958. H. A. scc-r'r ETAL 2,819,658

APPARATUS FOR CURLING EDGES ON PAPER DRINKING CUPS Filed June 23, 1953 7Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Jan. 14, 1958 H. A. SCOTT ETAL APPARATUS FORCURLING EDGES ON PAPER DRINKING CUPS 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 23,1953 m m N E V m Che/7322A, Unca rher I MAW! ATTORNEB' Jan. 14, 1958 H.A. SCOTT ETAL APPARATUS FOR CURLING EDGES 0N PAPER DRINKING CUPS '7Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 25, 1953 INVENTORS Harr y 14.30012"C/zar/esfl. HIZCdf/LQT ATTORNEYS nited States Patent APPARATU5 FORCURLING EDGES ON PAPER DRINKING CUPS Harry A. Scott and Charles A.Uncapher, Van Wert, Ohio, assignors to Continental Can Company, Inc.,New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 23, 1953,Serial No. 363,528

18 Claims. (Cl. 93-365) The invention relates generally to the making ofpaper drinking cups and primarily seeks to provide a novel method of andapparatus for forming an edge curl at the open mouth end extremities ofsuch cups.

Paper cups are extensively manufactured today, and the present inventionhas reference to a novel edge curling apparatus forming a part of amachine structure wherein the bodies of the cups are formed by shapingflat paper blanks about frusto-coniform mandrels and providing lappedand bonded side seams. The mandrels are spaced equidistantly about aturret which is indexed about a horizontal axis, and a second turret isprovided which is moved in timed relation to the mandrel carrying turretso as to present one of the pockets therein in position to receive a cupbody from the first turret at a discharging station and present the samefirst at a positioning station and then at the curling station. Anobject of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus foraccurately placing a cup body at the positioning station, and thenprovide an edge smoothing and strengthening curl of novel form thereonat the curling station. The machine structure as a Whole includes novelmeans for feeding the blanks to the, mandrels, and also novel means foreifecting the shaping of the cup bodies and bonding the side seamsthereof, but these individual apparatuses are not covered herein butrather in separate applications for Letters Patent of the United Statesfiled on May 22, 1953 by Orville L. Dellinger and Franklin D. Scott,Serial Number 356,792 relating to the Blank Feeding Mechanism, and onJune 9, 1953 by Harry A. Scott and Louis F. Fallows, Serial Number360,512 and relating to the Paper Cup Body Forming Apparatus.

In the making of paper drinking cups it is common practice to form anedge curl at the open mouth end extremities of the cup bodies, but theseedge curls have only partially served their intended purposes ofstrengthening the cup months because it has been impossible, heretofore,to provide an edge curl which equalled or exceeded a complete circle inradial cross section. For this reason, the edge curls formed on knowncups, While adding some mouth edge strength and providing an edgeextremity smooth and neat in appearance, have been objectionably weakagainst radially inwardly directed compressive pressures, and manypersons have had the embarrassing experience of having such cupspartially collapse upon application of normal hand pressures,disastrously spilling liquid contents. An object of the presentinvention is to provide a novel paper cup edge curling apparatus inwhich means are included for forming an edge curl of much greater thanusual strength and exceeding a complete circle in radial cross section,thereby presenting overlapping curl wall portions.

In its more detailed nature the invention seeks to provide a novelapparatus of the character stated wherein are included a curling head,means for rotatably and longitudinally-shiftably supporting the head,means for rotating the head, means for supporting a paper cup,

"ice

means for shifting the head back and forth along the axis of the cup toalternately present the same in edge curling position while in rotationand then retract the same from said position, a curling ring rotatablewith the head and having an annular curling recess approximatelyhalf-circular in radial cross section and disposed for engagement with acup edge held by said holding means, and at least one curling fingermovable with the head and having an approximately half-circular curlingsurface plaeeable opposite the ring recess to cooperate therewith inpresenting a composite curling surface approximately circular at theparticular radial cross section, and means to move the finger relativeto the head to place the same in edge curling position. during a curlingoperation and for retracting the same after completion of the curlingoperation to clear the edge curl and permit retraction of the head.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter stated wherein the cup holding means includes a frusto-conicalsleeve in which the cup is inserted, and a frusto-conical chuck mountedfor longitudinal movement with the curling head for engaging in the cupand gripping the same against the sleeve and remaining stationarytherein while the head rotates during the curling of the cup edge.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter stated wherein the cup holding sleeves are positioned inequidistantly spaced relation and means is provided for indexing theturret to present individual cups first at a positioning station andthen at the curling station, and wherein there is included a yieldablepresser plate movable back and forth with the curling head and sopositioned that as the head moves for- Ward to engage and curl a cupedge at the curling station the presser plate will simultaneously engageand accurately position a cup at the positioning station.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter stated wherein there is included a shifter rod reciprocablealong the axis of the curling head and having an abutment on an endportion thereof opposed to a cup being curled, the chuck being slidableon said rod end and spring held against said abutment so that it canengage in the cup and yield along the rod away from the abutment as thehead is moved toward and against the cup in a curling operation, saidrod also having connection with the curling finger means for shiftingthe same into effective curling position as the head moves against thecup edge, and for retracting said finger means to clear the edge curlprior to retraction of the head, and there being included means formoving the rod relative to the head and in timed relation to themovement thereof for the purposes stated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter stated wherein the shifter rod is longitudinally slidable in asleeve which is longitudinally reciprocable and whereon the curling headhas rotative bearing, there being included a plurality of the curlingfingers and means for swingably mounting them in equidistantly spacedrelation about the head, ring means rotatable on and movablelongitudinally with the rod, and shifter bars movable with the ringmeans and connected with the fingers for moving them to their effectiveand retracted positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter stated wherein each curling finger means half-circular curlingsurface terminates in a relatively sharp tucking edge which lies closeto the cup and is directed toward the starting edge portion of thecurling ring curling recess for the purpose of directing the curl intolapping relation as the endwise and rotary pressure application of thering against the cup edge is being completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus "(if thecharacterstatedwherein the curlin Ting includes a convexly curvingflarewhich merges smoothly at one end into the periphery of the chuck at thecompletion of a'c'urlin'g operation, and which merges smoothly at itsother end into the lead in or starting edge portion of the curlingrecess.

Another Object of the invention is to provide a novel methodoffo'r'r'nin'g'an edge curl at the open mouth end of a .paper drinkingcup which comprises, presenting the cup mouth edge opposite an annularcurling surface which is approximately half-circular in radial crosssectioh,'and'impar'tin'g relative movement to said edge and surfacealong and about a common axis while opposing said surface with anapproximately half-circular surface effective to turn the curling edgeupon itself to form a curl comprising 'at least a complete circle at anyradial cross section thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of thecharacter stated wherein the imparting of relative movement tothe cupedge and the curling surface along and about the common axis iscontinued until a curl having a 90? overlap is provided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of thecharacter stated wherein the mouth of the cup adjacent the edge beingcurled is expanded slightly as the curling is in progress.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of thecharacter stated wherein the annular curling surface is opposed by aplurality of approximately half-circular surfaces of limited width andequidistantly spaced about said annular surface during the curlingoperation.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical cross section illustrating theinvention, the mandrel carrying turret and the cooperating cup bodyreceiving turret being shown in dot and dash line phantom.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the edge curlingmechanism and its cooperative relation to the cup body receiving turretwhich holds the cup bodies in position during the edge curlingoperation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view approximately on the line3-3 on Figure 2, parts being broken away and in section, the curlinghead and the cup body positioning presser being in the retractedposition.

Figure 4 is aview similar to Figure 3, the curling head and the cup bodypositioning presser being shown in the projected, cup edge curlingposition.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section takenon the line 5-5 'on Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross section taken approximately onthe line 6-6 on Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross section taken approximately onthe line 7-7 on Figure 2.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectionillustrating a portion of the curling die ring and one cooperatingfinger, the latter being shown in full lines in the position in whichthe edge curling is effected, and in dot and dash lines in the retractedor swung away position for clearing the curl to permit retraction of thecurling head.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail radial section through an edge curlformed by the improved curling mechanism.

Figure 10 is a detail side elevation of the rotary coritrol cam, lookingfrom left to right as viewed in Figures '1 and 7. v

in the example of embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, theturret carrying the mandrels about which 4 the cup bodies are shaped isindicated at A, the receiving turretin "the pockets "of which the cupbodies are received and have their month end extremities edge curled isindicated at B, and the cups are indicated at C. The curling mechanismis generally designated D.

The cup bodies are transferred from the turret A to the turret B at thedischarging station E, and the bodies are accurately positioned on theturret B at the positioning station F, the curling mechanism D beinglocated at the curling station.

The mandrel turret shaft 5 is indexed, and the receiver turret shaft 6is moved in timed relation thereto, and to the cam shaft 7 in a mannerclearly disclosed in the previously'mentioned copending application ofHarry A. Scott and Louis F. Fallows, and detailed illustration anddescription of these driving mechanisms are deemed unnecessary herein.The turret B includes a plate-like body 8 having equidistantly spacedcup body receiving pockets 9 in the form of flared open sleeves. SeeFigures 1 and 2 of the drawings. U

A support bracket 10 is secured as at 11 on the drive housing 12, andtwo parallel supporting pins project therefrom 'in the manner clearlyillustrated in Figures 3 through 7. The pins 13 'slidably support thesleeves forming parts of the cross head slide 15, and said slideincludes a clamp bearing 16 in which is secured the sleeve 17 forming apart of the curling head structure.

The curling head structure includes a two-part mounting ring '18 whichis rotatable about the sleeve, being supported on anti-friction bearings19 in the manner best illustrated in Figure 5. The ring 18 also includesa groove pulley portion 20 for receiving the driving belt 21 which alsopasses over the driver pulley 22 on the shaft of the driving motor 23which is adjustably supported at 24 on the housing 12 in the mannerclearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The drive connections 20, 21 and22 serve to impart continuous rotation to the curling head. The headproper 25 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a ring portion26 through which secure attachment is 'made at 27 with the sleevemounted ring 18. g

A slide rod 28 is longitudinally slidable as at 29 in the sleeve 17 andhas a reduced portion 30 whereon a bearing hub 31 is secured, the samecarrying the inner race of a ball bearing 32 about which a shifter ring33 is rotatably supported. The ring 33 has a plurality of equidistantlyspaced shifter bars 34 adjustably mounted thereon at 35 to project inparallel relation to each other and to the axis of the sleeve and rod 17and 28. Each bar 34 is slidable in a guide 36 provided therefor in thehead 25, and each bar also includes an inwardly directed finger actuatorrecess 37, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.Compression springs 33 interposed between the ring 18 and the ring 33constantly tend to advance the ring 33 and the actuator bars carriedthereby, or in other words to shift said bars to the left as viewed inFigure 5. I

The curling head 25 includes a hollow hub portion 39 which is rotatablysupported through anti-friction bearings 40, the outer race of which isslidable in the hub 39 and the inner race of which is supported on anenlarged portion 41 of the slide rod 28. The enlarged rod portion 41also provides an abutment shoulder engaged by the abutment ring 42, andthen an abutment member 43 is provided at the end extremity of the rodwhich projects toward the cup when one is presented at the curlingstation.

It will be noted by reference to Figure 5 that the shifter ring 33 is'shi ftable between limiting rings 44 and 45, the former constituting apart of the head hub 39, and the latter a part of the pulley ring 18.These rings 44 and 45 serve to limit movement of projection andretraction of the actuator bars 34. I A sleeve 4'6 is sli'd'ablymountedon the end of the rod28 between the abutments 42 and 43, and this sleevecarries a ta ered chuck or clamp head 47 disposed to enter a cuppresented at the curling station when the curling head is moved intocurling position in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 4, and 8of the drawings. A compression spring 48 interposed between the chuckand abutment 42 constantly tends to hold the sleeve 46 against theabutment 43, this projected position of the chuck being illustrated inFigures 2 and 3. r

A curling ring 49 is removablysecured as at 50 on the curling head hub39, and this ring includes a concavely curved flare 51 which merges intoan annular curling recess 52 which is approximately half-circular at anyradial cross section thereof. It will be noted by reference to Figures 5and 8 that when the curling head is fully projected to the curlingposition, the surface 51 of the curling ring 49 will merge smoothly intothe periphery of the chuck or clamp head 47. It will also be apparent byreference to Figure 8 that the surface 51 flares outwardly in itsapproach to the curling recess 52 at a greater rate than does theclamped wall of the cup C and thus is effective to expand the mouth ofthe cup slightly as the edge curling is in process.

A plurality of curling fingers 53 are provided and each thereof ispivotally mounted as at 54 between a pair of mounting ears 55 providedon the hub portion 39 of the curling head. It will be observed byreference to Figure 6 that each of the curling fingers is placed inalignment with one of the actuator bars 34, and each finger has arounded head 56 engaging in the respective actuator bar recess 37 sothat as the bars 34 are reciprocated they will impart swinging movementto the curling fingers. At its inner end, each finger 53 is providedwith a curling surface 57 which extends across the limited width of thefinger and is approximately half-circular in cross section and disposedto oppose and cooperate with the curling ring recess 52 in providing acomposite curling chamber which is approximately full circular in radialcross section when the finger is in effective, curling position asillustrated in full lines in Figure 8. The inner end extremity of eachfinger 53 also is angle cut at 58 to provide a sharp edge which willclosely approximate the cup during a curling operation and provide asort of tucking action which will assure that the curl will continue inoverlapping relation as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. It will be notedby reference to Figure 9 that the finished curl overlaps to an extent of90, as indicated at 59, thereby providing a curl well in excess of acomplete circle, namely a curl of 450". Such a curl not only smoothlydefines the mouth of the cup, but also provides edge reinforcement whichwill preclude collapsing of the cup by any normal hand pressuresincidental to the grasping of the cup during the filling and drinkingprocesses.

The cross head 15 has a bracket arm 60 secured thereon as at 61, andthis arm carries a plunger 62 having a reduced end portion 63. Anabutment 64 is secured on the plunger portion 63 and limits outwardmovement of a slide 65 which is slidable on the plunger portion 63 andis yieldably held against the abutment by a compressing spring 66. Apresser disk 67 is carried by the sleeve 65, and each time the curlinghead is moved from its ineffective position illustrated in Figures 2 and3 to its effective or curling position illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and8, the presser 67 will engage a cup C in the pocket next to be presentedat the curling station for the purpose of accurately positioning saidcup in its car rying sleeve or pocket 9. In this manner, the presser 67serves toaccurately position the cup next tobe presented at the curlingstation simultaneously with the curling of the mouthedge portion of acup at said curling station.

Attention isdirected to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 wherein the means forshifting the curling head 25 and the rod 28 is illustrated. A cross headshifter arm 68 is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 69 betweenmounting arms 70 which are supported on the housing 12, and a rodshifter arm 71 is similarly pivoted intermediate its ends on the saidpivotal mounting. Thearm 68 has a lug 72 pivotally mounted in anddepending from the actuator end thereof, and this lug is pivotlinkattached as at 73 to the cross head 15 so that shifting movement will beimparted to the cross head 15, the sleeve 17 and the curling head 25carried thereby when the arm 63 is oscillated. The rod 28 has anannularly grooved head 74 secured thereon, and a roller 75 mounted onthe actuator end of the arm 71 engages in the groove so that the rod 28will be longitudinally shifted when the arm 71 is oscillated.

At their other ends the arm 63 carries a follower roller 76 and the arm71 carries a follower roller 77, said rollers being engaged by therotary control cam '78 secured on the cam shaft 7 for imparting properlytimed movements to the arms 68 and 71. The cam has a groove 79 in whichthe roller 77 follows, and said cam includes an actuator portionengageable with. the roller 76 to impart independent movement thereto.

The cam 78 is so constructed, and the parts of the curling headequipment are so constructed and arranged in the manner described thateach time the turret B is indexed to present a cup at the curlingstation, the arm 68 will be actuated to move the curling head 25 from isretracted position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 to the curlingposition illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 8. During this movement of thecurling head the chuck 47 first engages in the cup backed up by itscarrying sleeve 9 and is stopped thereby, after which movement of thehead 25 and the rod 28 will continue, the curlingring d9 serving tostart the curling action in the manner illustrated in Figure 5.

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 2 and 10 that the camgrooving 79 engaged by the follower roller 76 and the shaping of the camportion opposed by the follower roller 77 are so related that the headas a whole and the rod 18 move back and forth in unison except for thelimited amount of independent retraction of the rod efiective to swingthe fingers 53 to the dot and dash line positions of Figures 5 and 8.The springs 38 constantly tend to hold the parts in the full linepositions shown in Figure 5.

The movement of projection of the head and rod is controlled. by theportion of the cam shown in dotted lines inFigure 10 and is gradual,thus assuring gradual, progressive pressure application during theactual edge curling process. Completion of the curling is accom plishedwhile the dwell in the cam grooving holds the head in its projectedposition, and then, just before the head retracting portion of the cam78 shown at the top in Figure 10 becomes efiective, the cam portion tillengages ,the follower roller 77 and efiects a retraction of. the rod 28to assure that the fingers 53 will be swung away before the movement ofretraction of the curling head is started. Thereafter the head and rodmove back together into position for starting another curling cycle.

While example structures and method step sequences have been disclosedherein, it is to be understood that these structures and steps aresubject to variation without departing, from'the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a curler head including acurling ring having an annular curling surface which is approximatelyhalf-circular in radial cross section, cup holding means for presentinga cup in axial alignment with the ring with the cup edge opposing saidcurlingsurface, curling finger means having curling grooving thereinapproximately half circular in cross section and presentable inopposition to the annular ring surface, means for presenting the fingermeans in edge curling opposition to the curling surface during a curlingoperation and for displacing the same after completion of a curlingoperation, means for bringing about relative movement of the holdingmeans and the ring along and about a common axis to engage the cup edgeand curling surface in edge curling contact 7 while the finger meansis'in edge curling'opposition to turn the "-edge'inwardly upon itself toform 'a'curlcomprising'at least a complete circle'at any radial crosssection thereof, and means for bringing about movement of separation ofsaid holding means and the ring after the curling operation has beencompleted and said finger means has been moved away.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a curler head including acurling ring having an annular curling surface which is approximatelyhalf-circular in radial cross section, cup holding means for presentinga cup in axial alignment with the ring with the cup edge opposing saidcurling surface, curling finge'r means having curling grooving thereinapproximately half circular in crosssection and presentable inopposition to the annular ring surface, means for presenting the fingermeans in edge curling opposition 'to "the curling surface during acurling operation and for displacing the same after completion of acurling operation, means for bringing about relative movement'of the"holding means and the ring along and abouta common axis "to engage'thecup edge and the curling surface in edge curling contact while thefinger means is in edge curling opposition to turn the edge inwardlyupon itself to form 'a curl and continuing said relative movement untilthe curl exceeds a complete circle and includes a lapped portion at anyradial cross section thereof, and means for bringing about movement ofseparation of said holding means and the ring after the curlingoperation has been completed and said finger means has been moved away.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the curling finger meanscomprises a plurality of equidistantly spaced fingers of limited widthand each including a relatively sharp curl guiding edge directed towardthe annular curling surface and lying closely adjacent the cup body asthe edge thereof is being turned into the curl.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a curler head, means forrotatably and longitudinally-shiftably supporting the head, means forrotating the head, means for holding a paper cup, means for shifting thehead back and forth along the axis of the cup to alternately present thesame in edge curling position while in rotation and then retract thesame from said position, a curling ring rotatable with the head andhaving an annular curling recess approximately half-circular in radialcross section and disposed for engagement with a cup edge held by saidholding means, and at least one curling finger movable with the head andhaving an approximately halfcircular curling surface placeable oppositethe ring recess to cooperate therewith in presenting a composite curlingsurface approximately circular at the particular radial cross section,and means to move the finger relative to the head to place the same inedge curling position during a curling operation and for retracting thesame after completion of the curling operation to clear the edge curland permit retraction of the head.

5, Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the cup holding meansincludes a frusto-conical sleeve in which the cup is inserted, and afrusto-conical chuck mounted for longitudinal movement with the head forengaging in the cup and gripping the same against the sleeve andremaining stationary therein while the head rotates during the curlingof the cup edge.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the cup holding meansincludes a turret having a. plurality of frusto-conical sleeves thereonin. equidistantlyspaced relation and in which cups are receivable, and afrusto-conical chuck mounted for longitudinal movement with the head forengaging in a sleeve supported cup and gripping the same against thesleeve and remaining stationary while the head rotates during thecurling of the cup edge, there being included also means for indexingthe turret to present individual cups first ata positioning station andthen at a curling station opposite the curler head, a yieldable presserplate movable back and forth with the curler head and sopositioned thatas the 'headmoves forwardto engage and curl a cup edge at the curlingstation, the presser plate will simultaneously engage and accuratelyposition a cup at the positionin'gstation.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for moving thefinger relative to the head comprises a rod longitudinally shiftablealong ,the axisof the head, means connecting the rod with the finger,and means for shifting the rod in timed relation to the movement of thehead.

8. Apparatus as defined in cljaimA wherein themeans for moving thefinger relative to the head comprises a rod longitudinally 'shiftablealong the axis of the head, means connecting the rod with the finger,and means for shifting the rod in timed relation to the movement of thehead, and wherein the cup holding means includes a frusto-conical sleevein which the cup is inserted, and a frusto-conical chuck mounted on saidrod and movable therewith for engaging in the cup and gripping the sameagainst the sleeve, said rod having rotary bearing in the head so thatthe head can rotate thereabou-t while the chuck is engaged'in a cup. I

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 whereinthe means for moving thefinger relative to the head comprises a rod longitudinally .shiftablealong the axis of the head, means connecting the rod with the finger,and means for shifting the rod in timed relation to the movement, of thehead, and wherein the cup holding means includes a frusto-conical sleevein which the cup is inserted, and a frusto-conical chuck mounted on saidrod and movable therewith for engaging in the cup and gripping the sameagainst the sleeve, said rod having rotary bearing in the head so thatthe head can rotate thereabout while the chuck is engaged in a cup, saidrod having an abutment on the cup entering end thereof and said chuckbeing slida'ble along the rod and spring urged toward said abutment sothat it can engage in a cup and yield along the rod away from theabutment as the head is moved against the cup in a curling operation.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein are included a plurality ofthe curling fingers equidistantly spaced about and pivotally supportedon the head, and wherein the finger moving means includes a shifter barconnected with each finger and slidably mounted on the head, a shifterring connected with all of said bars, and means for moving the shifterring in timed relation to the movement of the head.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein are included a plurality ofthe curling fingers equidistantly spaced about and pivotally supportedon the head, and wherein the finger moving means includes a shifter barconnected with each finger and slidably mounted on the head, a shifterring connected with all of said bars, a rod longitudinally shiftablealong the axis ofth'e head, means for supporting the shifter ring on therod for rotation thereabout and for longitudinal movement; therewith,and means for longitudinally shifting the rod in timed relation to themovement of the head.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein are included a plurality ofthe curling fingers equidistantly spaced about and pivotally supportedon the head, and wherein the finger moving means includes a shifter barconnected with each finger and slidably mounted on the head, a shifterring connected with all of said bars, a rod longitudinally shifta'blealong the axis of the head, means for supporting the shifter ring ontherod for rotation thereabout and for longitudinal movement therewith,and means for longitudinally shiftingthe rod in timed relation to themovement of the head, and wherein thecup holding means includes afrusto-conical sleeve in which the cup is inserted, and a frusto-conicalchuck mounted on said rod and movable therewith for engagingin the .cupand gripping the same against the sleeve, said rod having an abutment onthe cup entering end thereof and said chuck being slidable along the rodand spring urged toward said abutment so that it can engage in a cup andyield along the rod away from the abutment as the head is moved againstthe cup in a curling operation.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for rotatably andshiftably supporting the head includes a sleeve whereon the head ismounted for longitudinal movement therewith and for rotative movementthereabout, and wherein the means for rotating the head includes apulley on the head, a belt passing over the pulley, and a driver pulleyfor driving the belt and spaced a distance from the head pulley forpermitting free fiexure of the belt during longitudinal shifting of thehead.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for rotatably andshiftably supporting the head includes a sleeve whereon the head ismounted for longitudinal movement therewith and for rotative movementthereabout, and wherein the means for rotating the head includes apulley on the head, a belt passing over the pulley, and a driver pulleyfor driving the belt and spaced a distance from the head pulley forpermitting free flexure of the belt during longitudinal shifting of thehead, there being included a cross head to which said sleeve is rigidlysecured, and spaced pins slidably supporting the cross head, the headshifting means being connected with said cross head.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for rotatably andshiftably supporting the head includes a sleeve whereon the head ismounted for longitudinal movement therewith and for rotative movementthereabout, and wherein the means for rotating the head includes apulley on the head, a belt passing over the pulley, and a driver pulleyfor driving the belt and spaced a distance from the head pulley forpermitting free fiexure of the belt during longitudinal shifting of thehead, there being included a cross head to which said sleeve is rigidlysecured, and spaced pins slidably supporting the cross head, the headshifting means including a rocker arm pivotally supported intermediatelyof its ends and having one end pivot link connected with the cross headand its other end engaged with a rotary cam.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for moving thefinger relative to the head comprises a rod longitudinally shiftablealong the axis of the head, means connecting the rod with the finger,and means for shifting the rod in timed relation to the movement of thehead, the head shifting means and the rod shifting means comprising arocker arm pivotally supported intermediately of its ends and having anactuator end connected with the head, a rocker arm pivotally supportedintermediately of its ends and having an actuator end connected with therod, and a single rotary cam means engageable with the other ends of thearms for rocking the arms and imparting movement to the head and rod inproper timed relation.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein are included a plurality ofthe curling fingers equidistantly spaced about the head, each saidfinger having its approximately half-circular curling surface terminatein a relatively sharp guide edge which lies close to a cup during acurling operation and is directed toward the starting edge portion ofthe curling ring curling recess for the purpose of directing the curlinto lapping relation as the endwise and rotary pressure application ofthe ring against the cup edge is being completed.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the cup holding meansincludes a frusto-conieal sleeve in which the cup is inserted, and afrusto-conical chuck mounted for longitudinal movement with the head forengaging in the cup and gripping the same against the sleeve andremaining staitonary therein while the head rotates during the curlingof the cup edge, and wherein are included a plurality of the curlingfingers equidistantly spaced about the head, each said finger having itsapproximately halfcircular curling surface terminate in a relativelysharp guide edge which lies close to a cup during a curling operationand is directed toward the starting edge portion of the curling ringcurling recess for the purpose of directing the curl into lappingrelation as the endwise and rotary pressure application of the ringagainst the cup edge is being completed, said curling ring including aconcavely curving flare which merges smoothly at its large end into thestarting edge portion of the curling ring curling recess and alsoapproximates smooth merger at its other end into the periphery of thechuck at the completion of a curling operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,238,330 Kock et al. Apr. 15, 1941 2,272,920 Merta Feb. 10, 19422,278,299 Barbieri Mar. 31, 1942 2,284,492 Mandell May 26, 19422,541,905 Amberg Feb. 13, 1951 2,703,514 Thiem Mar. 8, 1955

